NO BIG DEAL, the first official studio album from Denver’s WHEELCHAIR SPORTS CAMP, is produced by the late, great IKEYOWENS (Jack White, The Mars Volta, Free Moral Agents.) This musical milestone details the signature experience of lead vocalist, Kalyn Heffernan, a shit-talking emcee and activist whose unique circumstance provides perspective unlike those heard almost anywhere.

WSC first got their start in 2008 combining humor, playfulness, radical politics, compassion, and a love for rhyme schemes. In 2016, not only are hometown Colorado beatmakers involved, but their album features talents from Los Angeles, Canada, and the U.K., while overall production duties were left to the legendary IkeyOwens shortly before his tragic passing in 2014. This is a family affair for Heffernan (vocals,) Joshua Trinidad (trumpet,) and Gregg Ziemba (drums,) who have toured extensively together for the past several years, often alongside their STRANGE FAMOUS cohorts.

“The last time I met with Ikey was to catch up on life stuff and discuss his work with WSC,” explains SAGE FRANCIS. “Despite being a music virtuoso and seasoned producer, he seemed equally excited as he was nervous to tackle a hip-hop project. We discussed what style of music might best suit Kalyn, but from everything I had heard it was all on the right path.”

Ultimately, Owens stripped apart the original compositions that the band brought to the studio and weaved his own weird sonic tapestry, merging live instruments with electronic compositions that lend anexciting and distinctive vibe to the project. While Ikey rebuilt the tracks, Kalyn composed the majority of the album’s lyrics almost completely on the fly in-studio.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek title of the album, this means a great deal in the sonic journey of an already well celebrated hip-hop band. It represents a significant move from DIY mixtapes to a proper release with evolved quality of sound and songwriting. WSC has cemented their transition by signing with SFdigi, a brand new imprint under the STRANGE FAMOUS RECORDS banner.

"If there were ever a moment for a queer, disabled rapper with a love for pot, jokes, and revolution to be a star, the moment is now" - Village Voice